Jordan

The Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East NW of Saudi Arabia. It is bordered to the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, to the north by Syria and the east by Iraq, and south by Saudi Arabia.

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FCO Country Advice for Jordan
 

The country is comprised mainly of arid hills and mountainous areas. The Great Rift Valley separates the east and west banks of the River Jordan. The county is also located at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba where there is access to the Red Sea.

The majority of the population comprises Arabs with smaller percentage of Circassian, some Armenians and other races. Arab is the official language but those of the upper or middle classes speak or understand some English. Sunni Muslim is the main religion, with some Christian (mainly Greek Orthodox, and others).

Since its independence from British rule in 1946 the country was ruled by King Hussein. Following his death in 1999, his son King Hussein took over the throne.

The capital city, Amman, is an enthralling and magical mixture of old and new. There is so much history and culture to be explored. A favourite for visitors are the markets or ‘Souqs’ where you can browse and pick up souvenirs. The Jordanian people are known for their warm hospitality and charm. Amman was built on seven hills which are known as separate areas of the city.

A short distance from Amman is the old city of Salt . It has retained its charm with its striking Ottoman architecture and minarets and it well worth a visit. Another short drive will take you to Wadi Seer which is a beautiful valley of lush vegetation and trees. This area was settled by the Circassians. Nearby also are the ruins of a castle, and caves.

The Jordan Valley is part of the Great Rift Valley and is lush and fertile, and the River Jordan has much biblical significance. The Dead Sea is fed by the River Jordan, but having no outlet it has a high salt content, and subsequently no sea life or vegetation. There are, however, several spas in the area, with the natural mineral springs believed to have therapeutic value. There are also several places with beach and facilities for swimming, although swimming as it is known is not possible due to the high density of the water which makes it almost impossible to sink

There are too many places to see for one trip, but one must-see for visitors is the ancient city of Petra , which is located in the mountains at the south end of the Dead Sea .

For those wishing for some beach and water activities, the inland sea of the Gulf of Aqaba is the place to visit. With its warm climate (average temp 77F) and calm clear waters the diving is reputed to be some of the best in the world. There is also snorkelling, water skiing, fishing, windsurfing and all other popular sports. Wadi Rum is the place to go in the desert for hiking, camping and climbing activities in the beautiful sandstone mountains. Jordan has much to fascinate visitors to this magnificent ancient holy land.

Weather / Climate
Jordan ’s climate is a combination of desert and Mediterranean . The NW part of the country is mainly Mediterranean , while the remainder is mostly desert climate. The country, generally, has dry summers and milder winters with some rain. There is a rainy season in the west part of the country from Nov-April. Annual temperatures range from approx. 13-26C and can go to high 30Cs in summer.

Links
www.kinghussein.gov.jo This site gives a good overview of the country of Jordan , including places of historic and biblical significance. 

 
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IMPORTANT: Inclusion in this guide does not indicate that a travel insurance is available in this country. Please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Country Advice pages for up to date, in depth advice, on the advisability to travel to this country. While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for its accuracy.